Thinking about abortion? It’s important to learn all you can to protect your health and ensure you’re making a fully informed decision.

There are two types of abortion: medical (also known as the “abortion pill”) or surgical. Your pregnancy’s gestational age and your medical conditions/situation are the main factors that determine which type of abortion you’re eligible for.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion involves two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. These drugs are powerful and taken at home without the oversight of a physician.

Mifepristone is taken first. It blocks progesterone, which starts the abortion process. Without this critical hormone, your uterine lining will loosen and shed, and your pregnancy will eventually detach and end.

Misoprostol is taken next. It causes your uterus to cramp and expel the pregnancy through your vagina.

After taking these drugs, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. In some cases, this can be severe. You might also witness the expelled embryo or fetus, which can be distressing for some women.

The abortion drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or under. Taking these drugs when your pregnancy is further along puts you at a greater risk of experiencing complications, like incomplete abortion (which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in the uterus).

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion is typically done later in pregnancy in a clinical setting.

The surgical abortion process involves dilating the cervix so that medical instruments can enter the uterus to remove the pregnancy. Earlier in pregnancy, strong suction and scraping tools are used. Later in pregnancy, other instruments like forceps are used to remove larger parts of the pregnancy.

Uterine perforation is one of the main risks of surgical abortion. This is when one of the abortion instruments pokes a hole in your uterus, and it can lead to painful menstrual periods or future infertility.

How Can I Protect My Health?

Getting an ultrasound is the most important step to take if you’re considering an abortion. This scan can help reveal your pregnancy’s gestational age (which refers to how far along your pregnancy is), location, and viability (whether your pregnancy has signs of life, like a heartbeat).

At Life Line Pregnancy Center, we offer free ultrasounds to give you the information you need to stay safe. Contact us today. You’re not alone in this; we’re here for you.